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Supplementary estimates to the ex- tent of $2,470,000 were passed in cou- nection with the H.vdro-EInctrie Power Commission's work by the House in committee. The first item of this was 8400,000 for the Niagara system. This, Premier Ferguson explained. was to sup- piement $600,000 in the estimates for transmission and distribution lines and extension to the rural distribution sys- R. H. Kemp 'Progressive, Lincoln, referred to the difference in service charges. which made the fruit farmer bear a heavier burden of expense than the grain farmer. That. said the Pre- mier, in reply. was also being consid- ered try the Commission along with a number of matters which had emanated 'tg the present session of the Legis- ure. Referring to the interorovineia1 power situation. and the framing of questions in an attempt to define Provincial rights. the Premier pointed out that the questionnaire was being revised, that it would be presented to the Su- preme Court in May, that it would be uppealed before the Privy Council next (all and that by Christmas time there should, be an exact definition of 'the rights of the Dominion and the Prov- ince regarding the distribution of power. 8409.000 for Niagara, tem. Progressive Leader Lethbridge won- dered if there was any possibility of a gamer: getting t), lighter service, when he didn't want the 3-horseoower serv- ice. Tnat, said Mr. Ferguson. was a suggestion that was now being consid- ered by the Commission. He intimated that there might be an announcement of some move which would benefit rural districts. ANo Being Considered. Next came an item of 375.000 for the Georgian Bay system. the Premier ex- plaining that it was to Drovide for an morease in load and 62 miles extension ot rural lmes. crease in the use of power. we may Nee the future rather with alarm, as to where we may look for power. You must remember that Ontario gets noth- ing like what Quebec gets from the StLL'dwrenco development." w: Alarm over the power situation in th. Prtwinee--tear of a power shortage-- Was expressed by Premier Ferguson in the Legislature yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister's remarks wen occasioned during consideration of the supplementary estimates for the Hydro- mectric Power Commission. He spoke in detail of the various developments throughout Ontario, touching on the in- ternational. interprovincial and Pro.. ving-131 pnases of the power situation. RURAL PROBLEMS BEING CONSIDERED FUTURE SHORTAGE r..',. SINCLAIR PROTESTS t OF ELECTRIC POWER nllWE INVOLVED e 'iEAC'NQIQIXZLQflR IN INSURANCE BILL Premier Ferguson Views Situation With Alarm--. Expects Exact Definition of Federal and Provin- cial Rights by Christmas l 1 m e - Co - operation With Quebec on Ottawa Hon. H. C. Nixon (Progressive, Brant, wanted the Premier to explain the re- cent power battle at the Sault. Mr. Ferguson stated that the situation in- volved the difficulties which always crop up when power matters get into municipal politics. "It is a long story and an interesting one," said he, and continua. with a brief sketch. He re- ferred to the question which confronted the people as to whether they accept the offer of the Hydro or the Lake Superior Corporation. There had been talk of how industries would be ex- tended and payrolls increased. "At any rate," Mr. Ferguson summed up. "they chose to accent the other contract." 'Headlines in Newspapers _ Criticized by Mr. Henry su' In this connection Mr. Ferguson re- ferred to the Gatineau contract, ex- ulainlng how the power was to be brought to Leaside and then shot into the Niagara and Central systems. Cheaper Than Development? He was questioned as to whether the Government was buying the power cheaper than they could develop it. "T wouldn't like to say offhand." he re- plied. "but we are buying it cheaper than ever before." The line was under oonrtructlon and it was hoped that the juice would go on next fall. The sys- tem was being built so as to be able to carry more power than contracted for at present. Mr. Ferguson intimated that with co- Operation between Quebec and Ontario this Province might take advantage of the Ottawa power sources; within three years. providing. of course. that the decision of the Privy Council gave "the Provinces the rights we now beiieve we have." The Premier spoke at length of the t. Lawrence waterways project. He nuted that as far as Canadian author- tties were concerned. there had been no extensive reports dealing with the economic phase of the problem, all the information on this "angle" coming from the United States. He referred to the work of the Advisory Commit- tee, stating that he had written Pro, mler King: asking that a .inpy of the committee's report be given to the On- tario Legislature. Conference First. The suggestion in the newspaper headlines over a story ot the last meeting ot the Public Accounts Com- mittee, that no tenders were called for work in connection with the East Block, was protested by Hon. George B. Henry, Minister of Public Works and Highways, in the Legislature yesterday. The Minister explained that it was only the excavation work that had not been subject to tenders, and that the Gov- ernment had conducted 'this work to relieve the unemployment situation. tee passed taitijjiif'tiii.' tions and $1,250,000 and 1iet.ribution lines. tee Then, in connection with the fence and Ottawa systems. the "A -----, . An" - oesrraw, t"""iav-et, 250.000 a: moned as to whether the was buying the power they could develop it. "T to say offhand," he re- s are buying it cheaper re." The line was under nd it was hoped that the vith the St. Law- ms. the commit- tran§former sta- man With co- ond Ontario advantage of transmission Premier Ferguson said the bill could go on to third reading, and then, it the Liberal Leader had any amendments to propose, it could be moved back to committee. He said that the press had carried information regarding the bill last fall, and the Superintendent of Insurance had had several conferences regarding its drafting. He thought that the people were pretty well agreed on it: in fact, he had had only two com- plaints about its make-up. These had come trom "small agents," who, when assured that there was no intention on the part ot the Government to put them out of business, had withdrawn their ob- jections. Liberal Leader. Pieads for Protection of "Little Fellow" "Why shouldnt a man be his own insurance agent? It's good, sound legal doctrine. If I own 25 houses, why cant I become an agent and insure them?" Mr. Sinclair further submitted that the Government was endeavoring to look after "the big interests." His only hope was that the Superintendent of Insurance, in whom the amendment vested wide powers, would "see to it" that the "little fellow'"wasn't entire- ly eliminated. "No chance of that," said Col. Price. After prophesying that within a year's time the Government would be experi- encing plenty ot complaint regarding the act, the Liberal Leader attacked the Ministry for holding back such important legislation until the fag-end of the session. He said that it wasn't fair to the Province that the Insurance Act. for instance, had been held back and then rushed through. Only Two Complaints. . PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE amend the Insurance Act passed Com- mittee of the Legislature yesterday, but not without a warm proteit from Lib- eral Leader Sinclair against "the prin- ciple involved." Mr. Sinclair charged that the amend- ment simply meant that in future the "little fellow's" insurance business would be transferred to the "big ter. low." In reply to statements of the Attorney-General last week, that the bill aimed at the man who insured his own property or relatives, and got a "tat" commission at the expense of bone. tide agents, Mr. Sinclair said: "Sound Legal Doctrine." "How members expect.? he said, "to get legislation expedited when they are not in their seats, I don't know. There isn't one private member who has apublic order be- fore the House, here this afternoon. Consequently we cannot make any progress." Premier Ferguson, in the Legis- lature yesterday, indirectly threw out a warning to the class of mem- ber who absents himself from the House on Monday. Attorney-General Price's bill Premier Vexed